By JON DULIN Wealth of Geeks&nbsp;

It's
 that time of year again when college basketball's March Madness sweeps 
across the country. Whether you're an avid hoops enthusiast or just a 
casual fan, there's no reason not to get in on the fun of a tournament 
pool.

However, the problem many people have is making enough 
correct picks to participate in the cash prizes. If you are tired of 
guessing and want to increase your odds of winning, here is a winning 
formula that will make you the envy of your friends and co-workers.

The
 first step to increase your odds of winning your tournament pool is to 
fill out your bracket backward. Most people will fill out their bracket 
starting with the first round and moving to the championship game, 
meaning they must pick 64 winners.

By starting at the end and working your way back, you reduce the <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/apps-that-pay-you-to-play-games/">number of games</a>
 you have to pick the winner for. With the Final Four teams picked 
first, you already picked the winners of 12 additional games. Fewer 
picks result in fewer chances of making a mistake.

Another
 critical factor in winning is all about knowing who your competition 
is. In this case, your competition is your friends or co-workers. If you
 know one colleague who graduated from Duke and is an avid sports fan, 
chances are they will be biased towards teams in the ACC and pick them 
to go farther.

Alternatively, if you work in the South, many of 
your co-workers are familiar with teams in the SEC and might favor them 
to go the distance. Knowing these biases can help you to fill out your 
bracket differently and get an edge. If your co-worker is a Duke alum 
and they are playing a competitive game, your co-worker will default to 
picking Duke. You picking the other team could give you a competitive 
edge.

Upsets 
constantly happen in the NCAA Tournament, but not every matchup is ripe 
for an upset. Historically, a 16-seed has only once defeated a one-seed.

Here are the records of the lower seed in the first round from 1985-2021:

Knowing these stats, you should pick some upsets in the first round for all but the 14-seed and 15-seed games.

As
 much fun as it is watching lower-seeded teams pull off upsets early on,
 you must not allow your emotions to control your thinking. As 
lower-seeded teams advance into the later rounds, they play more 
formidable teams, and the odds of winning diminish.

Historically, a
 low-seeded team is unlikely to make it past the Sweet 16. Since 1985, 
of the 83 Cinderellas that made it this far, only 21 made it to the next
 round, with only four reaching the Final Four. No team seeded tenth or 
lower has reached the championship game. So while it is wise to pick 
upsets early, you need to move away from these picks in the later rounds
 if you want any chance of winning.

Recency
 bias is when we use information from the near past to persuade us into 
making incorrect choices. For example, you might think to <a href="https://www.moneysmartguides.com/tricks-to-win-the-lottery">increase your odds of winning the lottery</a>,
 you should pick numbers that have not recently won. But there is no 
reason why one of the same winning numbers will not win again.

In 
the tournament, recency bias shows up when a good team might lose early 
in its conference tournament, leading you to believe they are not as 
good as they actually are. When you begin filling out your bracket, you 
might have them losing early in the NCAA Tournament.

The opposite 
is true as well. A lousy team might go on a run and win their conference
 tournament, leading you to have them going farther in the NCAA 
Tournament, even though they are a flawed team.

To overcome this, you must look at the entire season to increase your odds of picking winning teams deeper into the tournament.

With
 most tournament pools, you earn points for every correct prediction you
 make, and the points double in value each round. In the first round, 
each correct choice earns you one point. In the second round, you earn 
two points for each correct pick. You earn four points for every correct
 pick in the Sweet 16 round, eight points for each in the Elite Eight, 
16 points for a winner in the Final Four, and 32 points for picking the 
champion.

While scoring many points the first weekend may put you 
in a good position early on, ultimately, it all comes down to the final 
two rounds because of how many points the games are worth. This is why 
using the previously mentioned tip of working backward is so powerful.

The
 last tip is to remember the tiebreaker. If a handful of people have 
picked the same champion and end up with the same number of points, the 
tiebreaker determines the winner. While the odds of needing to go to the
 tiebreaker are slim, you don't want to look back, wishing you had put 
more thought into it.

Most bracket tiebreakers are guessing the 
total points scored in the Championship game. To help you predict an 
accurate number, in the last 20 years, the median points scored was 144.
 Use this number as your guide. If you have a team in the Championship 
with a strong defense, consider picking less than this number. You might
 want to go a little higher if you have two teams with great 3-point 
shooting.

While nothing will guarantee you will win your March 
Madness tournament pool, using these tips can help you score more points
 and be in the running longer. With most pools offering a cash prize to 
the top three finishers, you might still place high enough to win back 
your entry fee, plus put some money into <a href="https://www.moneysmartguides.com/short-term-savings-options">short-term savings</a> for future use.

This article was produced by <a href="https://www.moneysmartguides.com/win-your-march-madness-pool-using-these-seven-strategies">MoneySmartGuides</a> and syndicated by <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/march-madness-pool/">Wealth of Geeks</a>.

By JON DULIN Wealth of Geeks&nbsp;It's
 that time of year again when college basketball's March Madness sweeps 
across the country. Whether you're an avid hoops enthusiast or just a 
casual fan, there's no reason not to get in on the fun of a tournament 
pool.However, the problem many people have is making enough 
correct picks to participate in the cash prizes. If you are tired of 
guessing and want to increase your odds of winning, here is a winning 
formula that will make you the envy of your friends and co-workers.Work BackwardsThe
 first step to increase your odds of winning your tournament pool is to 
fill out your bracket backward. Most people will fill out their bracket 
starting with the first round and moving to the championship game, 
meaning they must pick 64 winners.By starting at the end and working your way back, you reduce the <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/apps-that-pay-you-to-play-games/">number of games</a>
 you have to pick the winner for. With the Final Four teams picked 
first, you already picked the winners of 12 additional games. Fewer 
picks result in fewer chances of making a mistake.Size Up Your CompetitionAnother
 critical factor in winning is all about knowing who your competition 
is. In this case, your competition is your friends or co-workers. If you
 know one colleague who graduated from Duke and is an avid sports fan, 
chances are they will be biased towards teams in the ACC and pick them 
to go farther.Alternatively, if you work in the South, many of 
your co-workers are familiar with teams in the SEC and might favor them 
to go the distance. Knowing these biases can help you to fill out your 
bracket differently and get an edge. If your co-worker is a Duke alum 
and they are playing a competitive game, your co-worker will default to 
picking Duke. You picking the other team could give you a competitive 
edge.Understand Upset ProbabilitiesUpsets 
constantly happen in the NCAA Tournament, but not every matchup is ripe 
for an upset. Historically, a 16-seed has only once defeated a one-seed.Here are the records of the lower seed in the first round from 1985-2021:<ul>
 <li>15-seed vs. 2-seed: 9-135</li><li>14-seed vs. 3-seed: 22-122</li><li>13-seed vs. 4-seed: 31-113</li><li>12-seed vs. 5-seed: 51-93</li><li>11-seed vs. 6-seed: 54-90</li><li>10-seed vs. 7-seed: 57-87</li><li>9-seed vs. 8-seed: 73-71</li>
 </ul>Knowing these stats, you should pick some upsets in the first round for all but the 14-seed and 15-seed games.Be Realistic With CinderellasAs
 much fun as it is watching lower-seeded teams pull off upsets early on,
 you must not allow your emotions to control your thinking. As 
lower-seeded teams advance into the later rounds, they play more 
formidable teams, and the odds of winning diminish.Historically, a
 low-seeded team is unlikely to make it past the Sweet 16. Since 1985, 
of the 83 Cinderellas that made it this far, only 21 made it to the next
 round, with only four reaching the Final Four. No team seeded tenth or 
lower has reached the championship game. So while it is wise to pick 
upsets early, you need to move away from these picks in the later rounds
 if you want any chance of winning.Be Aware Of Recency BiasRecency
 bias is when we use information from the near past to persuade us into 
making incorrect choices. For example, you might think to <a href="https://www.moneysmartguides.com/tricks-to-win-the-lottery">increase your odds of winning the lottery</a>,
 you should pick numbers that have not recently won. But there is no 
reason why one of the same winning numbers will not win again.In 
the tournament, recency bias shows up when a good team might lose early 
in its conference tournament, leading you to believe they are not as 
good as they actually are. When you begin filling out your bracket, you 
might have them losing early in the NCAA Tournament.The opposite 
is true as well. A lousy team might go on a run and win their conference
 tournament, leading you to have them going farther in the NCAA 
Tournament, even though they are a flawed team.To overcome this, you must look at the entire season to increase your odds of picking winning teams deeper into the tournament.Picking The Champion Is ImportantWith
 most tournament pools, you earn points for every correct prediction you
 make, and the points double in value each round. In the first round, 
each correct choice earns you one point. In the second round, you earn 
two points for each correct pick. You earn four points for every correct
 pick in the Sweet 16 round, eight points for each in the Elite Eight, 
16 points for a winner in the Final Four, and 32 points for picking the 
champion.While scoring many points the first weekend may put you 
in a good position early on, ultimately, it all comes down to the final 
two rounds because of how many points the games are worth. This is why 
using the previously mentioned tip of working backward is so powerful.Don't Forget About The TiebreakerThe
 last tip is to remember the tiebreaker. If a handful of people have 
picked the same champion and end up with the same number of points, the 
tiebreaker determines the winner. While the odds of needing to go to the
 tiebreaker are slim, you don't want to look back, wishing you had put 
more thought into it.Most bracket tiebreakers are guessing the 
total points scored in the Championship game. To help you predict an 
accurate number, in the last 20 years, the median points scored was 144.
 Use this number as your guide. If you have a team in the Championship 
with a strong defense, consider picking less than this number. You might
 want to go a little higher if you have two teams with great 3-point 
shooting.While nothing will guarantee you will win your March 
Madness tournament pool, using these tips can help you score more points
 and be in the running longer. With most pools offering a cash prize to 
the top three finishers, you might still place high enough to win back 
your entry fee, plus put some money into <a href="https://www.moneysmartguides.com/short-term-savings-options">short-term savings</a> for future use.This article was produced by <a href="https://www.moneysmartguides.com/win-your-march-madness-pool-using-these-seven-strategies">MoneySmartGuides</a> and syndicated by <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/march-madness-pool/">Wealth of Geeks</a>.

Win your March Madness pool using these seven strategies

LAS VEGAS — <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">March Madness</a>
 isn't just about filling out — and later trashing — brackets. There are
 more ways to bet the field in the NCAA Tournament, an event that will 
consume basketball fans over the next three weeks. Here's a look at the 
favorites, underdogs and longshots.

WHO’S FAVORED TO REACH THE FINAL FOUR?

Top-ranked Houston is the plus-120 favorite to emerge as the Midwest Region representative and play in Houston, according to <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/ncaab?tab=march-madness">FanDuel Sportsbook</a>. That means a $100 bet pays $120. The next top team in the region is Texas at plus-450.

No. 4 Alabama, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-2023-e8fe1bfd7964f938781458952670f51a">which is the No. 1 overall seed</a>, is plus-190 to come out of the South. Next is No, 8 Arizona at plus-440.

The
 most competitive region appears to be the West. No. 3 Kansas is a 
slight favorite at plus-320, just ahead of No. 2 UCLA at plus-350. No. 9
 Gonzaga isn't far behind at plus-400.

No. 5 Purdue is at plus-300 to come out of the East, with No. 6 Marquette next at plus-420.

Oddsmakers
 agree with the NCAA selection committee that the No. 1 seeds are the 
favorites — Houston at plus-500, Alabama at plus-800, Kansas at 
plus-1,000 and Purdue at plus-1,200.

After that, oddsmakers favor 
UCLA at plus-1,400, Gonzaga at plus 1,500, Arizona at plus-1,600, No. 7 
Texas at plus-1,900, and No. 10 Baylor and Marquette each at plus-2,100.

If you're looking for the next Saint Peter's or Loyola-Chicago, check out these options.

Sixteen
 teams are listed at plus-50,000: Colgate, Furman, Grand Canyon, Howard,
 Kennesaw State, Kent State, Louisiana, Montana State, Nevada, Northern 
Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State, Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi, Texas 
Southern, UC Santa Barbara, UNC Asheville and Vermont.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST SPREAD DIFFERENCE?

Kansas
 is a 21 1/2-point favorite over Howard in their first-round matchup. 
Beyond that, Houston is favored by 19 1/2 points over Northern Kentucky,
 UCLA by 17 1/2 over UNC Asheville and Gonzaga by 15 1/2 over Grand 
Canyon.

The old saying is 
that life is too short to bet the under, but it's often the wise play. 
Some of these totals may give bettors second thoughts before taking the 
over, but that doesn't mean it's the wrong move. The highest totals are 
Gonzaga-Grand Canyon at 156 1/2, Missouri-Utah State at 154 1/2, Texas 
A&amp;M Corpus Christi-Southeast Missouri State at 153 1/2, Auburn-Iowa 
and Xavier-Kennesaw State each at 151 1/2 and Florida Atlantic-Memphis 
at 150 1/2.

Just because the committee 
seeds one team over another doesn't necessarily mean it's the better 
team in the minds of the oddsmakers. Here are the games where the lower 
seed is the favorite on the early line: Tenth-seeded Utah State by 2 1/2
 points over seventh-seeded Missouri, 10th-seeded Boise State a 
half-point over seventh-seeded Northwestern and ninth-seeded West 
Virginia by 2 1/2 over eighth-seeded Maryland,

Associated PressLAS VEGAS — <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">March Madness</a>
 isn't just about filling out — and later trashing — brackets. There are
 more ways to bet the field in the NCAA Tournament, an event that will 
consume basketball fans over the next three weeks. Here's a look at the 
favorites, underdogs and longshots.WHO’S FAVORED TO REACH THE FINAL FOUR?Top-ranked Houston is the plus-120 favorite to emerge as the Midwest Region representative and play in Houston, according to <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/ncaab?tab=march-madness">FanDuel Sportsbook</a>. That means a $100 bet pays $120. The next top team in the region is Texas at plus-450.No. 4 Alabama, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-2023-e8fe1bfd7964f938781458952670f51a">which is the No. 1 overall seed</a>, is plus-190 to come out of the South. Next is No, 8 Arizona at plus-440.The
 most competitive region appears to be the West. No. 3 Kansas is a 
slight favorite at plus-320, just ahead of No. 2 UCLA at plus-350. No. 9
 Gonzaga isn't far behind at plus-400.No. 5 Purdue is at plus-300 to come out of the East, with No. 6 Marquette next at plus-420.WHO’S FAVORED TO WIN THE TITLE?Oddsmakers
 agree with the NCAA selection committee that the No. 1 seeds are the 
favorites — Houston at plus-500, Alabama at plus-800, Kansas at 
plus-1,000 and Purdue at plus-1,200.After that, oddsmakers favor 
UCLA at plus-1,400, Gonzaga at plus 1,500, Arizona at plus-1,600, No. 7 
Texas at plus-1,900, and No. 10 Baylor and Marquette each at plus-2,100.WHO IS THE BIGGEST UNDERDOG?If you're looking for the next Saint Peter's or Loyola-Chicago, check out these options.Sixteen
 teams are listed at plus-50,000: Colgate, Furman, Grand Canyon, Howard,
 Kennesaw State, Kent State, Louisiana, Montana State, Nevada, Northern 
Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State, Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi, Texas 
Southern, UC Santa Barbara, UNC Asheville and Vermont.WHAT’S THE BIGGEST SPREAD DIFFERENCE?Kansas
 is a 21 1/2-point favorite over Howard in their first-round matchup. 
Beyond that, Houston is favored by 19 1/2 points over Northern Kentucky,
 UCLA by 17 1/2 over UNC Asheville and Gonzaga by 15 1/2 over Grand 
Canyon.WHAT’S THE BIGGEST OVER/UNDER?The old saying is 
that life is too short to bet the under, but it's often the wise play. 
Some of these totals may give bettors second thoughts before taking the 
over, but that doesn't mean it's the wrong move. The highest totals are 
Gonzaga-Grand Canyon at 156 1/2, Missouri-Utah State at 154 1/2, Texas 
A&amp;M Corpus Christi-Southeast Missouri State at 153 1/2, Auburn-Iowa 
and Xavier-Kennesaw State each at 151 1/2 and Florida Atlantic-Memphis 
at 150 1/2.NOT REAL UNDERDOGSJust because the committee 
seeds one team over another doesn't necessarily mean it's the better 
team in the minds of the oddsmakers. Here are the games where the lower 
seed is the favorite on the early line: Tenth-seeded Utah State by 2 1/2
 points over seventh-seeded Missouri, 10th-seeded Boise State a 
half-point over seventh-seeded Northwestern and ninth-seeded West 
Virginia by 2 1/2 over eighth-seeded Maryland,

March Madness betting guide: Not just about brackets

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Many things about the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards">Academy Awards</a>
 have changed over the years, but for the past six decades there has 
been at least one constant: The red carpet. The hues have varied over 
the years, but it has always been some shade of red. Until this year.

On
 Wednesday outside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, workers unspooled a 
champagne-colored carpet as Jimmy Kimmel, who is hosting the 95th Oscars
 on Sunday, <a href="https://twitter.com/APEntertainment/status/1633549832601075714">presided over the occasion</a>.

“I
 think the decision to go with a champagne carpet over a red carpet 
shows how confident we are that no blood will be shed," Kimmel said.

The
 decision to change the color came from creative consultants Lisa Love, a
 longtime Vogue contributor, and Raúl Àvila, the creative director for 
the glamourous Met Gala in New York.

This year the carpet will be 
covered, in part to protect the stars and cameras from the weather, but 
also to help turn the arrivals into an evening event. For Love, there 
has always been a disconnect between the elegant black tie dress code 
and the fact that it’s mid-afternoon when people arrive to be 
photographed in the daylight. With a covered carpet, they could change 
that.

“We turned a day event into night,” Love told The Associated Press. “It’s evening, even though it’s still 3:00.”

The
 Oscars red carpet dates back to 1961, the 33rd Academy Awards held at 
the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, when Billy Wilder’s “The Apartment” 
won best picture, Burt Lancaster and Elizabeth Taylor won the lead 
acting prizes, and there was still a “juvenile award,” which went to 
Hayley Mills for “Pollyanna.” It was the first televised ceremony, 
broadcast on ABC and hosted by Bob Hope. The general public wouldn’t see
 the red carpet in all its glory on television until 1966, when the 
Oscars were first broadcast in color.

There wasn’t any debate over
 the change, Love said. They just knew they had the freedom to break 
from tradition. They tried some other colors too but they seemed too 
dark with the covered tent. “We chose this beautiful sienna, saffron 
color that evokes the sunset, because this is the sunset before the 
golden hour,” Love said.

Instead they went lighter and Academy CEO Bill Kramer approved.

They weren’t especially worried about upsetting Oscars traditionalists either.

“Somebody’s
 always got a way to find something wrong with something,” Love said. 
“This is just a lightness and hopefully people like it. It doesn’t mean 
that it’s always going to be a champagne colored carpet.”

As for 
what we should call it? Love said “champagne” and “sand” are apt 
descriptions, but that there’s no reason to not default to “red carpet” 
either. It’s more metonym for the glamorous arrivals than a literal 
description of what everyone is walking on.

The 95th Oscars “red 
carpet” opens Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. The ceremony is set to begin 
at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ABC.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Many things about the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards">Academy Awards</a>
 have changed over the years, but for the past six decades there has 
been at least one constant: The red carpet. The hues have varied over 
the years, but it has always been some shade of red. Until this year.On
 Wednesday outside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, workers unspooled a 
champagne-colored carpet as Jimmy Kimmel, who is hosting the 95th Oscars
 on Sunday, <a href="https://twitter.com/APEntertainment/status/1633549832601075714">presided over the occasion</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667851376804.jpeg" alt="Oscars / Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>Oscars / Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>“I
 think the decision to go with a champagne carpet over a red carpet 
shows how confident we are that no blood will be shed," Kimmel said.The
 decision to change the color came from creative consultants Lisa Love, a
 longtime Vogue contributor, and Raúl Àvila, the creative director for 
the glamourous Met Gala in New York.This year the carpet will be 
covered, in part to protect the stars and cameras from the weather, but 
also to help turn the arrivals into an evening event. For Love, there 
has always been a disconnect between the elegant black tie dress code 
and the fact that it’s mid-afternoon when people arrive to be 
photographed in the daylight. With a covered carpet, they could change 
that.“We turned a day event into night,” Love told The Associated Press. “It’s evening, even though it’s still 3:00.”The
 Oscars red carpet dates back to 1961, the 33rd Academy Awards held at 
the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, when Billy Wilder’s “The Apartment” 
won best picture, Burt Lancaster and Elizabeth Taylor won the lead 
acting prizes, and there was still a “juvenile award,” which went to 
Hayley Mills for “Pollyanna.” It was the first televised ceremony, 
broadcast on ABC and hosted by Bob Hope. The general public wouldn’t see
 the red carpet in all its glory on television until 1966, when the 
Oscars were first broadcast in color.There wasn’t any debate over
 the change, Love said. They just knew they had the freedom to break 
from tradition. They tried some other colors too but they seemed too 
dark with the covered tent. “We chose this beautiful sienna, saffron 
color that evokes the sunset, because this is the sunset before the 
golden hour,” Love said.Instead they went lighter and Academy CEO Bill Kramer approved.They weren’t especially worried about upsetting Oscars traditionalists either.“Somebody’s
 always got a way to find something wrong with something,” Love said. 
“This is just a lightness and hopefully people like it. It doesn’t mean 
that it’s always going to be a champagne colored carpet.”As for 
what we should call it? Love said “champagne” and “sand” are apt 
descriptions, but that there’s no reason to not default to “red carpet” 
either. It’s more metonym for the glamorous arrivals than a literal 
description of what everyone is walking on.The 95th Oscars “red 
carpet” opens Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. The ceremony is set to begin 
at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ABC.

In a first since 1961, the Oscars carpet will not be red

By MANDY APPLEGATE Wealth of Geeks&nbsp;

Get ready to drool! Pi Day pies are taking over social media, and the world can't get enough. From Oprah to The Big Bang Theory,
 this math-based craze inspires mouth-watering creations and fierce 
competition. Don't miss out on the sweetest sensation of the year.

Let's
 get geeky for a minute and talk about the math. Pi Day is celebrated 
annually on March 14th; it was chosen because numerically it represents 
the first three digits of pi: 3.14.

Pi is a mathematical constant 
that represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its 
diameter. It is an irrational number, meaning its decimal representation
 goes on forever without repeating. Pi Day was first celebrated in 1988 
by physicist Larry Shaw at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, and since
 then, it's increased in popularity each year. 2015 was particularly 
celebrated, since the last two digits of year further fit the 
calculations (3.1415926).

The baked pie is a visual representation
 of the concept of pi, as the circle shape of the pie is (hopefully!) 
similar to the shape of a circle used in calculating pi. Pi Day Pies 
have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many movies, TV 
shows, and social media trends featuring the dessert.

It's also 
made them a famous symbol of scientific and mathematical knowledge and 
appreciation. Many schools and educational institutions use Pi Day Pies 
as a fun and engaging way to teach math concepts to their students.

Celebrity-Endorsed Pi Day Pies: The Sweetest Trend on Social Media

If you're a fan of The Big Bang Theory,
 the fact that the characters celebrate Pi Day each year won't be a 
surprise. In one episode, Sheldon creates a complicated mathematical 
formula to determine the perfect ratio of crust to filling for their Pi 
Day pie, usually opting to make a fruit pie, such as cherry or <a href="https://www.splashoftaste.com/apple-pie/">apple pie</a> .

Pi Day Pies have also made appearances in celebrity interviews and talk shows. In a 2017 interview with <a href="https://www.cbs.com/shows/the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert/">The Late Show with Stephen Colbert</a>
 , actress and comedian Tina Fey revealed that she had once baked a pie 
for Pi Day but had accidentally used salt instead of sugar, resulting in
 a very salty pie. Fey also joked that the movie Waitress had inspired her to create a "Breakup Pie" that she could eat alone in her apartment.

Many
 well-known celebrities have joined the social media trend and posted 
their Pi Day pies for their followers. Oprah, Jennifer Lopez, Chrissy 
Teigen, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson have all shared their pie day 
creations; from caramel apple pie to <a href="https://www.splashoftaste.com/chocolate-pie/">chocolate pie</a>
 , they've been helping to fuel the trend. And as the trend continues to
 grow in worldwide popularity, we'll likely see more and more <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/celebrities-with-surprising-college-degrees/">celebrities</a> joining in on the Pi Day Pie festivities.

Pi Day Pie Craze: Social Media Challenges Ideas

The
 popularity of Pi Day Pies on social media has led to online Pi Day Pie 
baking contests and challenges, where people compete to create the most 
inventive and aesthetically pleasing Pi Day Pie. Instagram, Facebook, 
and Twitter are platforms for Pi Day Pie enthusiasts worldwide to share 
their creations and connect with other dessert fans.

Are you 
looking to join the Pi Day pie-ty on social media? Get ready to roll up 
your sleeves and join in the fun. Bake up your favorite pie, whether a 
classic lemon or indulgent <a href="https://www.splashoftaste.com/reeses-pie/">Reese's pie</a> , and share it with the world using #PieDay. Remember to snap a #PieSelfie with your delicious creation.

But
 the fun doesn't stop there - social media users take things to the next
 level with prank pies filled with unexpected surprises. Want to up the 
ante? Host a pie-eating or pie-decorating contest and see who comes out 
on top.

Lightsabers and pies unite. Celebrate Pi Day in style by 
choosing a theme from your favorite movies or shows. Will you join the 
rebellion with a <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/fandoms/star-wars/">Star Wars</a> pie or indulge in some medieval mischief with a Game of Thrones creation? Gather your fellow fans and let the baking begin. The possibilities are endless.

In
 a world with a holiday for everything, Pi Day pies have captured our 
hearts and appetites. They have gone beyond just a mathematical concept 
and become a cultural and social phenomenon.

The beloved dessert 
has brought people together to celebrate the beauty of mathematics and 
showcase their creativity in the kitchen. Pi Day pies have become a 
canvas for culinary innovation and social bonding, from fruity classics 
to unexpected flavor combinations and fillings. And as the social media 
craze around Pi Day pies continues to grow, it's clear that this sweet 
celebration is here to stay.

So, whether you're a math nerd or 
simply a lover of all things sweet, mark your calendars for March 14th 
and join in on the Pi Day pie-ty. It's a celebration you don't want to 
miss.

This article was produced by <a href="https://www.splashoftaste.com/how-pi-day-pies-became-a-social-media-sensation/">Splash of Taste</a> and syndicated by <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/pi-day-pies/">Wealth of Geeks</a>. Published courtesy Associated Press.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678483443913.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By MANDY APPLEGATE Wealth of Geeks&nbsp;Get ready to drool! Pi Day pies are taking over social media, and the world can't get enough. From Oprah to The Big Bang Theory,
 this math-based craze inspires mouth-watering creations and fierce 
competition. Don't miss out on the sweetest sensation of the year.What is Pi Day?Let's
 get geeky for a minute and talk about the math. Pi Day is celebrated 
annually on March 14th; it was chosen because numerically it represents 
the first three digits of pi: 3.14.Pi is a mathematical constant 
that represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its 
diameter. It is an irrational number, meaning its decimal representation
 goes on forever without repeating. Pi Day was first celebrated in 1988 
by physicist Larry Shaw at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, and since
 then, it's increased in popularity each year. 2015 was particularly 
celebrated, since the last two digits of year further fit the 
calculations (3.1415926).The baked pie is a visual representation
 of the concept of pi, as the circle shape of the pie is (hopefully!) 
similar to the shape of a circle used in calculating pi. Pi Day Pies 
have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many movies, TV 
shows, and social media trends featuring the dessert.It's also 
made them a famous symbol of scientific and mathematical knowledge and 
appreciation. Many schools and educational institutions use Pi Day Pies 
as a fun and engaging way to teach math concepts to their students.Celebrity-Endorsed Pi Day Pies: The Sweetest Trend on Social MediaIf you're a fan of The Big Bang Theory,
 the fact that the characters celebrate Pi Day each year won't be a 
surprise. In one episode, Sheldon creates a complicated mathematical 
formula to determine the perfect ratio of crust to filling for their Pi 
Day pie, usually opting to make a fruit pie, such as cherry or <a href="https://www.splashoftaste.com/apple-pie/">apple pie</a> .Pi Day Pies have also made appearances in celebrity interviews and talk shows. In a 2017 interview with <a href="https://www.cbs.com/shows/the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert/">The Late Show with Stephen Colbert</a>
 , actress and comedian Tina Fey revealed that she had once baked a pie 
for Pi Day but had accidentally used salt instead of sugar, resulting in
 a very salty pie. Fey also joked that the movie Waitress had inspired her to create a "Breakup Pie" that she could eat alone in her apartment.Many
 well-known celebrities have joined the social media trend and posted 
their Pi Day pies for their followers. Oprah, Jennifer Lopez, Chrissy 
Teigen, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson have all shared their pie day 
creations; from caramel apple pie to <a href="https://www.splashoftaste.com/chocolate-pie/">chocolate pie</a>
 , they've been helping to fuel the trend. And as the trend continues to
 grow in worldwide popularity, we'll likely see more and more <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/celebrities-with-surprising-college-degrees/">celebrities</a> joining in on the Pi Day Pie festivities.Pi Day Pie Craze: Social Media Challenges IdeasThe
 popularity of Pi Day Pies on social media has led to online Pi Day Pie 
baking contests and challenges, where people compete to create the most 
inventive and aesthetically pleasing Pi Day Pie. Instagram, Facebook, 
and Twitter are platforms for Pi Day Pie enthusiasts worldwide to share 
their creations and connect with other dessert fans.Are you 
looking to join the Pi Day pie-ty on social media? Get ready to roll up 
your sleeves and join in the fun. Bake up your favorite pie, whether a 
classic lemon or indulgent <a href="https://www.splashoftaste.com/reeses-pie/">Reese's pie</a> , and share it with the world using #PieDay. Remember to snap a #PieSelfie with your delicious creation.But
 the fun doesn't stop there - social media users take things to the next
 level with prank pies filled with unexpected surprises. Want to up the 
ante? Host a pie-eating or pie-decorating contest and see who comes out 
on top.Lightsabers and pies unite. Celebrate Pi Day in style by 
choosing a theme from your favorite movies or shows. Will you join the 
rebellion with a <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/fandoms/star-wars/">Star Wars</a> pie or indulge in some medieval mischief with a Game of Thrones creation? Gather your fellow fans and let the baking begin. The possibilities are endless.A Slice of The PiIn
 a world with a holiday for everything, Pi Day pies have captured our 
hearts and appetites. They have gone beyond just a mathematical concept 
and become a cultural and social phenomenon.The beloved dessert 
has brought people together to celebrate the beauty of mathematics and 
showcase their creativity in the kitchen. Pi Day pies have become a 
canvas for culinary innovation and social bonding, from fruity classics 
to unexpected flavor combinations and fillings. And as the social media 
craze around Pi Day pies continues to grow, it's clear that this sweet 
celebration is here to stay.So, whether you're a math nerd or 
simply a lover of all things sweet, mark your calendars for March 14th 
and join in on the Pi Day pie-ty. It's a celebration you don't want to 
miss.This article was produced by <a href="https://www.splashoftaste.com/how-pi-day-pies-became-a-social-media-sensation/">Splash of Taste</a> and syndicated by <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/pi-day-pies/">Wealth of Geeks</a>. Published courtesy Associated Press.

How Pi Day pies became a social media sensation

By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A swarm of earthquakes occurring over the 
past few weeks has intensified at a remote Alaska volcano dormant for 
over a century, a possible indication of an impending eruption.

The
 Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status 
for Tanaga Volcano late Tuesday after the quakes became very vigorous.

“We
 started seeing a whole lot of earthquakes occurring, one after the 
other, several per minute,” said John Power, a research geophysicist 
with the U.S. Geological Survey stationed in Anchorage at the Alaska 
Volcano Observatory.

There have been hundreds of small 
earthquakes, none larger than magnitude 2.75, but they are concentrated 
beneath the summit of the volcano, he said.

“That indicates that we’re seeing significant unrest at the volcano,” Power said.

“Whether
 or not this will lead to an eruption is something we can’t say at this 
point in time,” he said. “But we are concerned about it enough that we 
have gone and elevated the warning level.”

While the increase causes concern, he said many times earthquake activity will drop off with no eruption.

“It’s anybody’s guess as to where this particular round of earthquake activity may end up,” he said.

The
 volcano is on an uninhabited island in the western Aleutians, about 
1,250 miles southwest of Anchorage. There are no 
communities or structures there, but Adak, a city of about 170 residents
 on another island, is about 65 miles away and could 
see ashfall.

If the volcano were to erupt, the biggest threat 
would be to aircraft. The Aleutians are below the routes that jets fly 
between North America and Asia. Volcanic ash is angular and sharp and 
can cause an airplane engine to shut down. Previous eruptions had both 
ash clouds and viscous lava that moves very slowly away from the 
mountain, much like what happened at Mount St. Helens in Washington 
state in 1980.

“It’s very different than what you would see, for 
example, in Hawaii, Kilauea or Mauna Loa, where you see these beautiful 
red rivers of lava flowing down the side of the volcano," Power said.

Tanaga
 is actually part of a three-volcano complex on the island. It’s the 
tallest of the three at 5,925 feet. It sits in the 
middle, with Sajaka, a 4,443-foot volcano to its west. Sajaka had an 
older cone that collapsed into the North Pacific Ocean with a new cone 
that has emerged.

To the east of Tanaga is Takawangha, a 4,754 
-foot volcano that is mostly ice-covered except for four 
craters, the Alaska Volcano Observatory says.

The last known eruption for Tanaga was in 1914. It erupted twice in the late 1700s and again in 1829.

The
 observatory in a release said there are no known eruptions of 
Takawangha or Sajaka. However, field work has indicated that eruptions 
may have occurred from those volcanos and were attributed to Tanaga.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678484580808.jpeg" alt="In this photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey is the Tanaga Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on May 23, 2021.&nbsp; (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey via AP)" />
 <figcaption>In this photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey is the Tanaga Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on May 23, 2021.&nbsp; (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARK THIESSEN Associated PressANCHORAGE, Alaska — A swarm of earthquakes occurring over the 
past few weeks has intensified at a remote Alaska volcano dormant for 
over a century, a possible indication of an impending eruption.The
 Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status 
for Tanaga Volcano late Tuesday after the quakes became very vigorous.“We
 started seeing a whole lot of earthquakes occurring, one after the 
other, several per minute,” said John Power, a research geophysicist 
with the U.S. Geological Survey stationed in Anchorage at the Alaska 
Volcano Observatory.There have been hundreds of small 
earthquakes, none larger than magnitude 2.75, but they are concentrated 
beneath the summit of the volcano, he said.“That indicates that we’re seeing significant unrest at the volcano,” Power said.“Whether
 or not this will lead to an eruption is something we can’t say at this 
point in time,” he said. “But we are concerned about it enough that we 
have gone and elevated the warning level.”While the increase causes concern, he said many times earthquake activity will drop off with no eruption.“It’s anybody’s guess as to where this particular round of earthquake activity may end up,” he said.The
 volcano is on an uninhabited island in the western Aleutians, about 
1,250 miles southwest of Anchorage. There are no 
communities or structures there, but Adak, a city of about 170 residents
 on another island, is about 65 miles away and could 
see ashfall.If the volcano were to erupt, the biggest threat 
would be to aircraft. The Aleutians are below the routes that jets fly 
between North America and Asia. Volcanic ash is angular and sharp and 
can cause an airplane engine to shut down. Previous eruptions had both 
ash clouds and viscous lava that moves very slowly away from the 
mountain, much like what happened at Mount St. Helens in Washington 
state in 1980.“It’s very different than what you would see, for 
example, in Hawaii, Kilauea or Mauna Loa, where you see these beautiful 
red rivers of lava flowing down the side of the volcano," Power said.Tanaga
 is actually part of a three-volcano complex on the island. It’s the 
tallest of the three at 5,925 feet. It sits in the 
middle, with Sajaka, a 4,443-foot volcano to its west. Sajaka had an 
older cone that collapsed into the North Pacific Ocean with a new cone 
that has emerged.To the east of Tanaga is Takawangha, a 4,754 
-foot volcano that is mostly ice-covered except for four 
craters, the Alaska Volcano Observatory says.The last known eruption for Tanaga was in 1914. It erupted twice in the late 1700s and again in 1829.The
 observatory in a release said there are no known eruptions of 
Takawangha or Sajaka. However, field work has indicated that eruptions 
may have occurred from those volcanos and were attributed to Tanaga.

Swarm of quakes at Alaska volcano could mean eruption coming

The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/03/10/business/jobs-report-economy-news">hot U.S. labor market</a>
 is showing few signs of cooling down, with the latest jobs report 
showing continued strong gains, particularly in service industries such 
as retail and hospitality. The robust employment landscape may put 
pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise rates more than expected later 
this month in a bid to further tame inflation.

The U.S. economy <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.b.htm">added 311,000 jobs</a> in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on March 10, 2023, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-10/us-payrolls-top-estimates-while-jobless-rate-rises-wages-cool?srnd=premium&amp;sref=Hjm5biAW">higher than economists were forecasting</a>. The unemployment rate <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.a.htm">ticked up slightly to 3.6%</a>, still near the <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/UNRATE">lowest level in over 50 years</a>.

To better understand what all this means and why the job market remains strong despite the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/business/economy/fed-powell-interest-rates.html">most aggressive pace of interest rate hikes</a> since the 1980s, we turned to Edouard Wemy, an <a href="https://www2.clarku.edu/faculty/facultybio.cfm?id=1080">economist at Clark University</a>.

<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-employment-remains-red-hot-even-as-the-federal-reserve-tries-to-put-job-market-on-ice-201603">The Conversation</a>

What stood out for you most in the jobs report?

It’s kind of strange how the labor market remains quite strong, with 
notable gains in labor-intensive service sectors like hospitality and 
leisure, health care and retail. That’s also where wage growth in 
February was strongest.

For workers, the report is good news, since it suggests if you’re 
looking for work you’ve got a strong chance of finding a job. The Job 
Openings and Labor Turnover Survey shows that there are <a href="https://www.bls.gov/jlt/">almost two vacancies</a> for <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.a.htm">every unemployed worker</a>, which is pretty high compared with an <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=p9aA#">average of under 0.6 vacancies</a> per jobless person before the pandemic.

But it’s very puzzling. Why is the job growth so strong at a time 
when the Fed has been aggressively raising borrowing costs to tame the <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CPIAUCSL">highest inflation since the 1980s</a>? Typically, a sudden increase in interest rates – and the Fed has raised rates 4.5 percentage points over the past year – <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/101615/what-happens-if-interest-rates-increase-too-quickly.asp">would chill the labor market</a> and send unemployment much higher.

I believe, as is often the case in economics, it’s a question of 
supply and demand. The Fed has been focused on the latter. Raising the 
borrowing costs consumers and businesses have to pay should reduce 
consumer demand for goods and services, which in turn lowers demand for 
workers. 

But the Fed can’t do much about the supply side of the equation – 
which refers to the number of available workers in the labor market. 
That’s measured by the <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CIVPART">participation rate</a>, which plunged at the beginning of the pandemic and still hasn’t fully recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels. This is <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNS11300001">especially true for men</a>,
 who are participating in the labor market at a rate of 68%, or 1.1 
percentage point below February 2020 levels – the equivalent of about 
1.5 million men gone from the workforce.

In other words, if the reason the job market is so tight right now is
 the relatively low participation rate, then that explains why the Fed’s
 interest rate hikes are not having much of an effect. 

Economists, me included, are trying to work that out and have some theories.

The pandemic caused significant disruptions to the labor market – 
first, lockdowns caused unemployment to soar, then trillions of dollars 
in government aid meant to support the economy made it easier to get by 
without a job – and this has resulted in structural changes that persist
 today. 

<a href="https://www.bostonfed.org/publications/research-department-working-paper/2016/who-counts-as-employed-informal-work-employment-status-and-labor-market-slack.aspx#:%7E:text=Informal%20Work%2C%20Employment%20Status%2C%20and%20Labor%20Market%20Slack,-By%20Anat%20Bracha&amp;text=According%20to%20the%20Bureau%20of,week%20prior%20to%20the%20survey.">Recent research suggests</a>
 part of the explanation for the lower participation rate is that more 
younger workers may be joining the gig economy, which isn’t fully 
reflected in the government’s job and participation numbers.

What does this mean for Fed’s rate-hike campaign?

A few weeks ago markets were expecting the Fed to lift interest rates by another quarter-point <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomccalendars.htm">when it meets on March 21-22</a>. <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stocks-markets-jerome-powell-federal-reserve-rate-hikes-march-testimony-2023-3">That changed</a> after Fed Chair Jerome Powell told Congress on March 7 that the rate-hiking campaign still “has a long way to go.”

After the latest jobs report showed the strength of the labor market,
 I agree that a half-point increase is likely. But I’m hoping the Fed 
isn’t going to push up rates much more. 

If the reason for the hot jobs market is primarily a supply or 
structural issue, then higher rates aren’t going to have the effect the 
Fed seeks – and would only increase the odds of recession. So I’m hoping
 the Fed’s economists recognize this and adjust their strategy. 

I still don’t think a recession is likely, mainly because recent economic data, such as <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/06/economy/consumers-keep-spending/index.html">solid consumer spending</a>
 along with the latest jobs report, have been so strong. But also I do 
believe the Fed will change its tune, accept inflation may be a bit 
higher than it hopes and slow the pace of rate hikes.

But if the Fed stays focused on driving inflation to near its target of 2% – from an <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">annual pace of 6.4% currently</a> – that would greatly increase the odds of a recession this year or the next.

The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/03/10/business/jobs-report-economy-news">hot U.S. labor market</a>
 is showing few signs of cooling down, with the latest jobs report 
showing continued strong gains, particularly in service industries such 
as retail and hospitality. The robust employment landscape may put 
pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise rates more than expected later 
this month in a bid to further tame inflation.The U.S. economy <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.b.htm">added 311,000 jobs</a> in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on March 10, 2023, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-10/us-payrolls-top-estimates-while-jobless-rate-rises-wages-cool?srnd=premium&amp;sref=Hjm5biAW">higher than economists were forecasting</a>. The unemployment rate <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.a.htm">ticked up slightly to 3.6%</a>, still near the <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/UNRATE">lowest level in over 50 years</a>.To better understand what all this means and why the job market remains strong despite the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/business/economy/fed-powell-interest-rates.html">most aggressive pace of interest rate hikes</a> since the 1980s, we turned to Edouard Wemy, an <a href="https://www2.clarku.edu/faculty/facultybio.cfm?id=1080">economist at Clark University</a>. <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-employment-remains-red-hot-even-as-the-federal-reserve-tries-to-put-job-market-on-ice-201603">The Conversation</a><h2>What stood out for you most in the jobs report?</h2>It’s kind of strange how the labor market remains quite strong, with 
notable gains in labor-intensive service sectors like hospitality and 
leisure, health care and retail. That’s also where wage growth in 
February was strongest.For workers, the report is good news, since it suggests if you’re 
looking for work you’ve got a strong chance of finding a job. The Job 
Openings and Labor Turnover Survey shows that there are <a href="https://www.bls.gov/jlt/">almost two vacancies</a> for <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.a.htm">every unemployed worker</a>, which is pretty high compared with an <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=p9aA#">average of under 0.6 vacancies</a> per jobless person before the pandemic.But it’s very puzzling. Why is the job growth so strong at a time 
when the Fed has been aggressively raising borrowing costs to tame the <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CPIAUCSL">highest inflation since the 1980s</a>? Typically, a sudden increase in interest rates – and the Fed has raised rates 4.5 percentage points over the past year – <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/101615/what-happens-if-interest-rates-increase-too-quickly.asp">would chill the labor market</a> and send unemployment much higher. I believe, as is often the case in economics, it’s a question of 
supply and demand. The Fed has been focused on the latter. Raising the 
borrowing costs consumers and businesses have to pay should reduce 
consumer demand for goods and services, which in turn lowers demand for 
workers. But the Fed can’t do much about the supply side of the equation – 
which refers to the number of available workers in the labor market. 
That’s measured by the <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CIVPART">participation rate</a>, which plunged at the beginning of the pandemic and still hasn’t fully recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels. This is <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNS11300001">especially true for men</a>,
 who are participating in the labor market at a rate of 68%, or 1.1 
percentage point below February 2020 levels – the equivalent of about 
1.5 million men gone from the workforce. In other words, if the reason the job market is so tight right now is
 the relatively low participation rate, then that explains why the Fed’s
 interest rate hikes are not having much of an effect. <h2>Why is the participation rate still low?</h2>Economists, me included, are trying to work that out and have some theories.The pandemic caused significant disruptions to the labor market – 
first, lockdowns caused unemployment to soar, then trillions of dollars 
in government aid meant to support the economy made it easier to get by 
without a job – and this has resulted in structural changes that persist
 today. <a href="https://www.bostonfed.org/publications/research-department-working-paper/2016/who-counts-as-employed-informal-work-employment-status-and-labor-market-slack.aspx#:%7E:text=Informal%20Work%2C%20Employment%20Status%2C%20and%20Labor%20Market%20Slack,-By%20Anat%20Bracha&amp;text=According%20to%20the%20Bureau%20of,week%20prior%20to%20the%20survey.">Recent research suggests</a>
 part of the explanation for the lower participation rate is that more 
younger workers may be joining the gig economy, which isn’t fully 
reflected in the government’s job and participation numbers. <h2>What does this mean for Fed’s rate-hike campaign?</h2>A few weeks ago markets were expecting the Fed to lift interest rates by another quarter-point <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomccalendars.htm">when it meets on March 21-22</a>. <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stocks-markets-jerome-powell-federal-reserve-rate-hikes-march-testimony-2023-3">That changed</a> after Fed Chair Jerome Powell told Congress on March 7 that the rate-hiking campaign still “has a long way to go.” After the latest jobs report showed the strength of the labor market,
 I agree that a half-point increase is likely. But I’m hoping the Fed 
isn’t going to push up rates much more. If the reason for the hot jobs market is primarily a supply or 
structural issue, then higher rates aren’t going to have the effect the 
Fed seeks – and would only increase the odds of recession. So I’m hoping
 the Fed’s economists recognize this and adjust their strategy. <h2>What are the odds of a recession?</h2>I still don’t think a recession is likely, mainly because recent economic data, such as <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/06/economy/consumers-keep-spending/index.html">solid consumer spending</a>
 along with the latest jobs report, have been so strong. But also I do 
believe the Fed will change its tune, accept inflation may be a bit 
higher than it hopes and slow the pace of rate hikes. But if the Fed stays focused on driving inflation to near its target of 2% – from an <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">annual pace of 6.4% currently</a> – that would greatly increase the odds of a recession this year or the next.

Why employment remains red hot even as the Fed tries to put job market on ice

WASHINGTON ― With the tax deadline approaching, the IRS reminded 
taxpayers they can avoid late filing and interest penalties by 
submitting their tax return and any payments due by April 18. For 
struggling taxpayers who can't pay by the deadline, the IRS offers 
several different options to help.

The IRS also provides multiple ways for people to file for an 
extension, get information to help file their tax return and learn about
 payment options if they have trouble paying by the April 18 deadline.

Eligible individuals and families who earned $73,000 or less in 2022 can use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>,
 available only on IRS.gov, to electronically file their taxes. All 
taxpayers, regardless of income, who need more time to file a return can
 use IRS Free File as an easy and quick way to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/extension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return">electronically file for a six-month extension</a> before April 18, 2023. An extension will help to avoid penalties and interest for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/failure-to-file-penalty">failing to file on time</a>, and gives taxpayers until Oct. 16, 2023, to file. However, they still must pay what they owe by the April 18 deadline.

Except for eligible victims of recent <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations">natural disasters</a>
 who have until Oct. 16 to make various tax payments, taxpayers who 
can't pay the full amount of taxes they owe by April 18 should file and 
pay what they can to reduce total penalties and interest.

There are several ways to make electronic payments, and there are options for a payment plan or agreement.

An IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a>
 provides access to important information when preparing to file a tax 
return, pay a balance or follow up on notices. Taxpayers can view their:

Taxpayers can also use their Online Account to securely make a same-day payment for an outstanding 2022 tax balance, pay quarterly estimated taxes for the 2023 tax season or request an extension to file a 2022 return.

Interest and a late payment penalty will apply to any payments made 
after April 18. Making a payment, even a partial payment, will help 
limit penalty and interest charges.

Direct Pay, available only on IRS.gov, is the fastest and easiest way
 to make a one-time payment without signing into an IRS Online Account.

The IRS encourages taxpayers who cannot pay in full to pay what they 
can and consider a variety of payment options available for the 
remaining balance including getting a loan to pay the amount due. In 
many cases, loan costs may be lower than the combination of interest and
 penalties the IRS must charge under federal law. Taxpayers should act 
as quickly as possible: Tax bills accumulate more interest and fees the 
longer they remain unpaid. For all payment options, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a>.

Most individual taxpayers qualify for a payment plan and can use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application">Online Payment Agreement</a> to set up a payment plan (including an installment agreement) to pay off an outstanding balance over time.

Once the online application is completed, the taxpayer receives 
immediate notification of whether their payment plan has been approved. 
Taxpayers can setup a plan using the Online Payment Agreement in a 
matter of minutes. There's no paperwork and no need to call, write or 
visit the IRS. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/payment-plans-installment-agreements">Setup fees may apply for some types of plans</a>.

Online payment plan options for individual taxpayers include:

Qualified taxpayers with existing payment plans may be able to 
use the Online Payment Agreement to make changes including revising 
payment dates, payment amounts or bank information for payments made by 
direct debit. Go to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application">Online Payment Agreement</a>&nbsp;for more information.

Though interest and late-payment penalties continue to accrue on any 
unpaid taxes after April 18, the failure to pay the tax penalty rate is 
cut in half while an installment agreement is in effect. Find more 
information about the costs of payment plans on the IRS' <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/payment-plans-installment-agreements">Additional Information on Payment Plans</a> webpage.

Taxpayers struggling to meet their tax obligation may also consider these additional payment options:

For more information about payments, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc202">Topic No. 202, Tax Payment Options</a>, on IRS.gov.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that they have rights and protections throughout the collection process. For details, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxpayer-bill-of-rights">Taxpayer Bill of Rights</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1.pdf">Publication 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer</a>PDF.

Taxpayers should know before they owe. The IRS encourages all taxpayers to check their withholding with the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>.

This news release is part of a series called the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. Additional help is available in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IERSWASHINGTON ― With the tax deadline approaching, the IRS reminded 
taxpayers they can avoid late filing and interest penalties by 
submitting their tax return and any payments due by April 18. For 
struggling taxpayers who can't pay by the deadline, the IRS offers 
several different options to help.The IRS also provides multiple ways for people to file for an 
extension, get information to help file their tax return and learn about
 payment options if they have trouble paying by the April 18 deadline.Eligible individuals and families who earned $73,000 or less in 2022 can use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>,
 available only on IRS.gov, to electronically file their taxes. All 
taxpayers, regardless of income, who need more time to file a return can
 use IRS Free File as an easy and quick way to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/extension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return">electronically file for a six-month extension</a> before April 18, 2023. An extension will help to avoid penalties and interest for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/failure-to-file-penalty">failing to file on time</a>, and gives taxpayers until Oct. 16, 2023, to file. However, they still must pay what they owe by the April 18 deadline.Except for eligible victims of recent <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations">natural disasters</a>
 who have until Oct. 16 to make various tax payments, taxpayers who 
can't pay the full amount of taxes they owe by April 18 should file and 
pay what they can to reduce total penalties and interest.There are several ways to make electronic payments, and there are options for a payment plan or agreement.<h2>IRS Online Account</h2>An IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a>
 provides access to important information when preparing to file a tax 
return, pay a balance or follow up on notices. Taxpayers can view their:<ul>
 <li>Adjusted Gross Income.</li><li>Payment history and any scheduled or pending payments.</li><li>Payment plan details.</li><li>Digital copies of select notices from the IRS.</li>
 </ul>Taxpayers can also use their Online Account to securely make a same-day payment for an outstanding 2022 tax balance, pay quarterly estimated taxes for the 2023 tax season or request an extension to file a 2022 return.Interest and a late payment penalty will apply to any payments made 
after April 18. Making a payment, even a partial payment, will help 
limit penalty and interest charges.<h2>Other options to pay electronically</h2>Direct Pay, available only on IRS.gov, is the fastest and easiest way
 to make a one-time payment without signing into an IRS Online Account.<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">Direct Pay</a>:
 Direct Pay is free and allows taxpayers to securely pay their federal 
taxes directly from their checking or savings account without any fees 
or preregistration. Taxpayers can schedule payments up to 365 days in 
advance. After submitting a payment through Direct Pay, taxpayers will 
receive immediate confirmation. 
	&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-taxes-by-electronic-funds-withdrawal">Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW)</a>:
 This option allows taxpayers to file and pay electronically from their 
bank account when using tax preparation software or a tax professional. 
This option is free and only available when electronically filing a tax 
return. 
	&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/eftps-the-electronic-federal-tax-payment-system">Electronic Federal Tax Payment System</a>:
 This free service gives taxpayers a safe and convenient way to pay 
individual and business taxes by phone or online. To enroll and for more
 information, taxpayers can call <a href="tel:800-555-4477">800-555-4477</a> or visit <a href="https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/">eftps.gov</a>. 
	&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-taxes-by-credit-or-debit-card">Debit or credit card or digital wallet</a>:
 Individuals can pay online, by phone or with a mobile device through 
any of the authorized payment processors. The processor charges a fee. 
The IRS doesn't receive any fees for these payments. Authorized card 
processors and phone numbers are available at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a>.</li>
 </ul><h2>Other payment options:</h2><ul>
 <li>Cash: For taxpayers who prefer to pay in cash, the IRS offers a 
way to pay taxes at one of its Cash Processing Company services. The IRS
 urges taxpayers choosing this option to start early because it involves
 a four-step process. Details, including answers to frequently asked 
questions, are at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-with-cash-at-a-retail-partner">IRS.gov/paywithcash</a>. 
	&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-by-check-or-money-order">Check or money order</a>: Payments made by check or money order should be made payable to the "United States Treasury." To help ensure that the payment gets credited promptly, taxpayers should also enclose a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040v.pdf">2022 Form 1040-V</a>PDF payment voucher and print the following on the front of the check or money order:
	"2022 Form 1040"NameAddressDaytime phone numberSocial Security number</li><li>"2022 Form 1040"</li><li>Name</li><li>Address</li><li>Daytime phone number</li><li>Social Security number</li>
 </ul><h2>For taxpayers who cannot pay in full</h2>The IRS encourages taxpayers who cannot pay in full to pay what they 
can and consider a variety of payment options available for the 
remaining balance including getting a loan to pay the amount due. In 
many cases, loan costs may be lower than the combination of interest and
 penalties the IRS must charge under federal law. Taxpayers should act 
as quickly as possible: Tax bills accumulate more interest and fees the 
longer they remain unpaid. For all payment options, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a>.<h2>Online self-service payment plans</h2>Most individual taxpayers qualify for a payment plan and can use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application">Online Payment Agreement</a> to set up a payment plan (including an installment agreement) to pay off an outstanding balance over time.Once the online application is completed, the taxpayer receives 
immediate notification of whether their payment plan has been approved. 
Taxpayers can setup a plan using the Online Payment Agreement in a 
matter of minutes. There's no paperwork and no need to call, write or 
visit the IRS. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/payment-plans-installment-agreements">Setup fees may apply for some types of plans</a>.<h2>Online payment plan options for individual taxpayers include:</h2><ul>
 <li>Short-term payment plan – The total balance owed is less than 
$100,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest. Additional time of up 
to 180 days to pay the balance in full.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Long-term payment plan (installment agreement) – The total 
balance owed is less than $50,000 in combined tax, penalties and 
interest. Pay in monthly payments for up to 72 months. Payments may be 
set up using direct debit (automatic bank withdraw) which eliminates the
 need to send in a payment each month, saving postage costs, and 
reducing the chance of default. For balances between $25,000 and 
$50,000, direct debit is required.</li>
 </ul>Qualified taxpayers with existing payment plans may be able to 
use the Online Payment Agreement to make changes including revising 
payment dates, payment amounts or bank information for payments made by 
direct debit. Go to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application">Online Payment Agreement</a>&nbsp;for more information.Though interest and late-payment penalties continue to accrue on any 
unpaid taxes after April 18, the failure to pay the tax penalty rate is 
cut in half while an installment agreement is in effect. Find more 
information about the costs of payment plans on the IRS' <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/payment-plans-installment-agreements">Additional Information on Payment Plans</a> webpage.<h2>Other payment options</h2>Taxpayers struggling to meet their tax obligation may also consider these additional payment options:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/offer-in-compromise">Offer in Compromise</a>
 – Certain taxpayers qualify to settle their tax liabilities for less 
than the total amount they owe by submitting an Offer in Compromise. To 
help determine their eligibility, they can use the <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/oic_pre_qualifier/">Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier tool</a>. To help taxpayers prepare their own valid Offers in Compromise, the IRS created an <a href="https://www.irsvideos.gov/Business/PostFilingIssues/OfferInCompromise">Offer in Compromise video playlist</a> – also available in Spanish and Simplified Chinese – that walks them through the necessary paperwork.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/temporarily-delay-the-collection-process">Temporary delay of collection</a>
 – Taxpayers can contact the IRS to request a temporary delay of the 
collection process. If the IRS determines a taxpayer is unable to pay, 
it may delay collection until the taxpayer's financial condition 
improves. Penalties and interest continue to accrue until the full 
amount is paid.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Other payment plan options – Taxpayers who do not qualify 
for online self-service should contact the IRS using the phone number or
 address on their most recent notice for other payment plan options. For
 individuals and out-of-business sole proprietors who are already 
working with IRS Campus Collection and who owe $250,000 or less, one 
available option is to propose a monthly payment that will pay the 
balance over the length of the Collection Statute (usually 10 years). 
These payment plans don't require a financial statement, but they do 
require a determination for the filing of a Notice of Federal Tax Lien 
still applies.</li>
 </ul>For more information about payments, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc202">Topic No. 202, Tax Payment Options</a>, on IRS.gov.<h2>Taxpayer Rights</h2>The IRS reminds taxpayers that they have rights and protections throughout the collection process. For details, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxpayer-bill-of-rights">Taxpayer Bill of Rights</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1.pdf">Publication 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer</a>PDF.Taxpayers should know before they owe. The IRS encourages all taxpayers to check their withholding with the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>.This news release is part of a series called the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. Additional help is available in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax</a>.

Owe the IRS money? Tips to help avoid penalties and interest

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country singer Lainey Wilson is a fan favorite at this year’s <a href="https://www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards">CMT Music Awards</a>, where she is the leading nominee including for “Video of the Year.”

The
 “Heart Like a Truck” singer earned four nominations when nominees were 
announced Wednesday ahead of the April 2 show airing on CBS.

Other
 leading nominees including Cody Johnson, CMT co-host Kane Brown and 
first-time nominee Jelly Roll, who all have three nominations each. 
Brown and Kelsea Ballerini return to host the show from Austin, Texas.

There are 16 nominees for the show's top prize, video of the year, a category that Carrie Underwood <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-anthony-mackie-kelsea-ballerini-nashville-tennessee-b8d1e13ad2888abd891dab8da439b620">holds the record</a> in with 25 awards. She's nominated again for her video “Hate My Heart” and will also perform.

The winners will be selected by fan voting, which is open now at <a href="http://vote.cmt.com">vote.cmt.com</a>.

Wynonna
 Judd earned two nominations in the CMT performance of the year 
category, one with her late mother Naomi for their last performance 
together on last year's CMT Music Awards and one for her performance of 
“The Rose” with Brandi Carlile during <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-country-nashville-28c4ce0f989a4ceb3276fac8a570c434">a memorial show</a> after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/naomi-judd-dead-29302bc273e57c174ea9ecbea606f668">Naomi Judd's death.</a>

This
 year, CMT is splitting their breakthrough video of the year award into 
separate male and female subcategories, which increases the total number
 of nominees.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country singer Lainey Wilson is a fan favorite at this year’s <a href="https://www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards">CMT Music Awards</a>, where she is the leading nominee including for “Video of the Year.”The
 “Heart Like a Truck” singer earned four nominations when nominees were 
announced Wednesday ahead of the April 2 show airing on CBS.Other
 leading nominees including Cody Johnson, CMT co-host Kane Brown and 
first-time nominee Jelly Roll, who all have three nominations each. 
Brown and Kelsea Ballerini return to host the show from Austin, Texas.There are 16 nominees for the show's top prize, video of the year, a category that Carrie Underwood <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-anthony-mackie-kelsea-ballerini-nashville-tennessee-b8d1e13ad2888abd891dab8da439b620">holds the record</a> in with 25 awards. She's nominated again for her video “Hate My Heart” and will also perform.The winners will be selected by fan voting, which is open now at <a href="http://vote.cmt.com">vote.cmt.com</a>.Wynonna
 Judd earned two nominations in the CMT performance of the year 
category, one with her late mother Naomi for their last performance 
together on last year's CMT Music Awards and one for her performance of 
“The Rose” with Brandi Carlile during <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-country-nashville-28c4ce0f989a4ceb3276fac8a570c434">a memorial show</a> after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/naomi-judd-dead-29302bc273e57c174ea9ecbea606f668">Naomi Judd's death.</a>This
 year, CMT is splitting their breakthrough video of the year award into 
separate male and female subcategories, which increases the total number
 of nominees.

Fan favorite Lainey Wilson leads CMT Music Awards nominees

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded retirees who
 turned 72 during 2022 that, in most cases, Sunday, April 1, 2023, is 
the last day to begin receiving payments from Individual Retirement 
Arrangements (IRAs), 401(k)s and similar workplace retirement plans.

The payments, called <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds">required minimum distributions (RMDs)</a>,
 are normally made by the end of the year. But anyone who reached age 72
 during 2022 is covered by a special rule that allows IRA account owners
 and participants in workplace retirement plans to wait until as late as
 April 1, 2023, to take their first RMD. In other words, in general, the
 special April 1 rule applies to IRA owners and other participants in 
these plans who were born after Dec. 31,1949.

The April 1 RMD deadline only applies to the required distribution 
for the first year. For all later years, the RMD must be made by Dec. 
31.

This means that taxpayers who receive their first required 
distribution (for 2022) in 2023, on or before April 1, must receive 
their second RMD (for 2023) by Dec. 31, 2023. Even though the first 
distribution is actually the required 2022 distribution, it's taxable in
 2023 and reported on the 2023 tax return - along with the regular 2023 
distribution.

These required distribution rules apply to owners of traditional, SEP
 and SIMPLE IRAs while the original owner is alive. They also apply to 
participants in various workplace retirement plans, including 401(k), 
403(b) and 457(b) plans. RMDs don't apply to Roth IRAs.

An IRA trustee must either report the amount of the RMD to the IRA 
owner or offer to calculate it. Often, the trustee shows the RMD amount 
on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-5498">Form 5498</a>
 in Box 12b. For a 2022 RMD, required by April 1, 2023, the RMD amount 
is shown on the 2021 Form 5498, normally issued to the owner during the 
first part of 2022.

Though the April 1 deadline is mandatory for all owners of 
traditional IRAs and most participants in workplace retirement plans, 
some people with workplace plans can wait longer to receive their RMD.

Most participants who are still working for that employer can wait 
until April 1 of the year after they retire to start receiving these 
distributions, if their workplace plan allows. This RMD exception does 
not apply to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-faqs-regarding-required-minimum-distributions">5% owners</a>
 of the business sponsoring the retirement plan or to participants in 
SEP and SIMPLE IRA plans. See Tax on Excess Accumulation in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-575">Publication 575</a> for details.

Employees of public schools and certain tax-exempt organizations with
 403(b) plan accruals before 1987 should check with their employer, plan
 administrator or provider to see how to treat these accruals.

IRS online tools and publications can help

Many answers to questions about RMDs can be found at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-faqs-regarding-required-minimum-distributions">RMD FAQs</a>
 on IRS.gov. Most taxpayers use Table III (Uniform Lifetime) to figure 
their RMD. Married taxpayers whose spouse is more than 10 years younger 
and is their only beneficiary use Table II.

For a 2022 RMD (due April 1, 2023), use the life expectancy tables in Appendix B of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/p590b--2021.pdf">Publication 590-B</a>PDF,
 Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). As shown 
in Table III, the RMD for a person age 72 in 2022 will normally be based
 on a distribution period of 27.4 years. Divide the Dec. 31, 2021, 
balance by 27.4 to get the RMD for 2022. Pub. 590-B has worksheets, 
examples and other information that can help anyone figure their RMD.

For those planning ahead, starting in 2023 retirees can wait until 
age 73 to begin receiving RMDs. Visit IRS.gov for more information on 
this and other changes affecting retirees and retirement-plan 
participants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded retirees who
 turned 72 during 2022 that, in most cases, Sunday, April 1, 2023, is 
the last day to begin receiving payments from Individual Retirement 
Arrangements (IRAs), 401(k)s and similar workplace retirement plans.The payments, called <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds">required minimum distributions (RMDs)</a>,
 are normally made by the end of the year. But anyone who reached age 72
 during 2022 is covered by a special rule that allows IRA account owners
 and participants in workplace retirement plans to wait until as late as
 April 1, 2023, to take their first RMD. In other words, in general, the
 special April 1 rule applies to IRA owners and other participants in 
these plans who were born after Dec. 31,1949.<h2>Two payments in the same year</h2>The April 1 RMD deadline only applies to the required distribution 
for the first year. For all later years, the RMD must be made by Dec. 
31.This means that taxpayers who receive their first required 
distribution (for 2022) in 2023, on or before April 1, must receive 
their second RMD (for 2023) by Dec. 31, 2023. Even though the first 
distribution is actually the required 2022 distribution, it's taxable in
 2023 and reported on the 2023 tax return - along with the regular 2023 
distribution.<h2>Types of retirement plans requiring RMDs</h2>These required distribution rules apply to owners of traditional, SEP
 and SIMPLE IRAs while the original owner is alive. They also apply to 
participants in various workplace retirement plans, including 401(k), 
403(b) and 457(b) plans. RMDs don't apply to Roth IRAs.An IRA trustee must either report the amount of the RMD to the IRA 
owner or offer to calculate it. Often, the trustee shows the RMD amount 
on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-5498">Form 5498</a>
 in Box 12b. For a 2022 RMD, required by April 1, 2023, the RMD amount 
is shown on the 2021 Form 5498, normally issued to the owner during the 
first part of 2022.<h2>Some can delay RMDs</h2>Though the April 1 deadline is mandatory for all owners of 
traditional IRAs and most participants in workplace retirement plans, 
some people with workplace plans can wait longer to receive their RMD.Most participants who are still working for that employer can wait 
until April 1 of the year after they retire to start receiving these 
distributions, if their workplace plan allows. This RMD exception does 
not apply to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-faqs-regarding-required-minimum-distributions">5% owners</a>
 of the business sponsoring the retirement plan or to participants in 
SEP and SIMPLE IRA plans. See Tax on Excess Accumulation in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-575">Publication 575</a> for details.Employees of public schools and certain tax-exempt organizations with
 403(b) plan accruals before 1987 should check with their employer, plan
 administrator or provider to see how to treat these accruals.<h2>IRS online tools and publications can help</h2>Many answers to questions about RMDs can be found at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-faqs-regarding-required-minimum-distributions">RMD FAQs</a>
 on IRS.gov. Most taxpayers use Table III (Uniform Lifetime) to figure 
their RMD. Married taxpayers whose spouse is more than 10 years younger 
and is their only beneficiary use Table II.For a 2022 RMD (due April 1, 2023), use the life expectancy tables in Appendix B of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/p590b--2021.pdf">Publication 590-B</a>PDF,
 Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). As shown 
in Table III, the RMD for a person age 72 in 2022 will normally be based
 on a distribution period of 27.4 years. Divide the Dec. 31, 2021, 
balance by 27.4 to get the RMD for 2022. Pub. 590-B has worksheets, 
examples and other information that can help anyone figure their RMD.<h2>New age 73 rule starts in 2023</h2>For those planning ahead, starting in 2023 retirees can wait until 
age 73 to begin receiving RMDs. Visit IRS.gov for more information on 
this and other changes affecting retirees and retirement-plan 
participants.

IRS reminder: Deadline for retirement distributions looming

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued a renewed 
warning urging people to carefully review the Employee Retention Credit 
(ERC) guidelines before trying to claim the credit as promoters continue
 pushing ineligible people to file.

The IRS and tax professionals continue to see third parties 
aggressively promoting these ERC schemes on radio and online. These 
promoters charge large upfront fees or a fee that is contingent on the 
amount of the refund. And the promoters may not inform taxpayers that 
wage deductions claimed on the business' federal income tax return must 
be reduced by the amount of the credit.

"While this is a legitimate credit that has provided a financial 
lifeline to millions of businesses, there continue to be promoters who 
aggressively mislead people and businesses into thinking they can claim 
these credits," said Acting IRS Commissioner Doug O'Donnell. "Anyone who
 is considering claiming this credit needs to carefully review the 
guidelines. If the tax professional they're using raises questions about
 the accuracy of the Employee Retention Credit claim, people should 
listen to their advice. The IRS is actively auditing and conducting 
criminal investigations related to these false claims. People need to 
think twice before claiming this."

The IRS has been <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employers-warned-to-beware-of-third-parties-promoting-improper-employee-retention-credit-claims">warning about this scheme</a> since <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employers-beware-of-third-parties-promoting-improper-employee-retention-credit-claim">last fall</a>,
 but there continue to be attempts to claim the ERC during the 2023 tax 
filing season. Tax professionals note they continue to be pressured by 
people wanting to claim credits improperly. The IRS Office of 
Professional Responsibility is working on additional guidance for the 
tax professional community that will be available in the near future.

People and businesses can avoid this scheme, and by not filing 
improper claims in the first place. If the business filed an income tax 
return deducting qualified wages before it filed an employment tax 
return claiming the credit, the business should file an amended income 
tax return to correct any overstated wage deduction.

Businesses should be cautious of advertised schemes and direct 
solicitations promising tax savings that are too good to be true. 
Taxpayers are always responsible for the information reported on their 
tax returns. Improperly claiming the ERC could result in taxpayers being
 required to repay the credit along with penalties and interest.

The ERC is a refundable tax credit designed for businesses who 
continued paying employees while shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic 
or who had significant declines in gross receipts from March 13, 2020, 
to Dec. 31, 2021. Eligible taxpayers can claim the ERC on an original or
 amended employment tax return for a period within those dates.

To be eligible for the ERC, employers must have:

As a reminder, only recovery startup businesses are eligible for
 the ERC in the fourth quarter of 2021. Additionally, for any quarter, 
eligible employers cannot claim the ERC on wages that were reported as 
payroll costs in obtaining PPP loan forgiveness or that were used to 
claim certain other tax credits.

To report tax-related illegal activities relating to ERC claims, submit by fax or mail a completed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14242.pdf">Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers</a>PDF and any supporting materials to the IRS Lead Development Center in the Office of Promoter Investigations.

Mail:&nbsp;Internal Revenue Service Lead Development Center 
Stop MS5040 
24000 Avila Road 
Laguna Niguel, California 92677-3405 
Fax: 877-477-9135

Employers should also <a href="https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing">report instances of fraud and IRS-related phishing attempts</a> to the IRS at <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.tigta.gov/reportcrime-misconduct">Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration</a> at <a href="tel:800-366-4484">800-366-4484</a>.

Go to IRS.gov to learn more about eligibility requirements and how to claim the Employee Retention Credit:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued a renewed 
warning urging people to carefully review the Employee Retention Credit 
(ERC) guidelines before trying to claim the credit as promoters continue
 pushing ineligible people to file.The IRS and tax professionals continue to see third parties 
aggressively promoting these ERC schemes on radio and online. These 
promoters charge large upfront fees or a fee that is contingent on the 
amount of the refund. And the promoters may not inform taxpayers that 
wage deductions claimed on the business' federal income tax return must 
be reduced by the amount of the credit."While this is a legitimate credit that has provided a financial 
lifeline to millions of businesses, there continue to be promoters who 
aggressively mislead people and businesses into thinking they can claim 
these credits," said Acting IRS Commissioner Doug O'Donnell. "Anyone who
 is considering claiming this credit needs to carefully review the 
guidelines. If the tax professional they're using raises questions about
 the accuracy of the Employee Retention Credit claim, people should 
listen to their advice. The IRS is actively auditing and conducting 
criminal investigations related to these false claims. People need to 
think twice before claiming this."The IRS has been <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employers-warned-to-beware-of-third-parties-promoting-improper-employee-retention-credit-claims">warning about this scheme</a> since <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employers-beware-of-third-parties-promoting-improper-employee-retention-credit-claim">last fall</a>,
 but there continue to be attempts to claim the ERC during the 2023 tax 
filing season. Tax professionals note they continue to be pressured by 
people wanting to claim credits improperly. The IRS Office of 
Professional Responsibility is working on additional guidance for the 
tax professional community that will be available in the near future.People and businesses can avoid this scheme, and by not filing 
improper claims in the first place. If the business filed an income tax 
return deducting qualified wages before it filed an employment tax 
return claiming the credit, the business should file an amended income 
tax return to correct any overstated wage deduction.Businesses should be cautious of advertised schemes and direct 
solicitations promising tax savings that are too good to be true. 
Taxpayers are always responsible for the information reported on their 
tax returns. Improperly claiming the ERC could result in taxpayers being
 required to repay the credit along with penalties and interest.<h2>What is the ERC?</h2>The ERC is a refundable tax credit designed for businesses who 
continued paying employees while shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic 
or who had significant declines in gross receipts from March 13, 2020, 
to Dec. 31, 2021. Eligible taxpayers can claim the ERC on an original or
 amended employment tax return for a period within those dates.To be eligible for the ERC, employers must have:<ul>
 <li>sustained a full or partial suspension of operations due to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-20.pdf">orders from an appropriate governmental authority</a>PDF limiting commerce, travel or group meetings due to COVID-19 during 2020 or the first three quarters of 2021,</li><li>experienced a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-20.pdf">significant decline in gross receipts during 2020</a>PDF or a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-23.pdf">decline in gross receipts during the first three quarters of 2021</a>PDF, or</li><li>qualified as a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-49.pdf">recovery startup business</a>PDF for the third or fourth quarters of 2021.</li>
 </ul>As a reminder, only recovery startup businesses are eligible for
 the ERC in the fourth quarter of 2021. Additionally, for any quarter, 
eligible employers cannot claim the ERC on wages that were reported as 
payroll costs in obtaining PPP loan forgiveness or that were used to 
claim certain other tax credits.To report tax-related illegal activities relating to ERC claims, submit by fax or mail a completed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14242.pdf">Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers</a>PDF and any supporting materials to the IRS Lead Development Center in the Office of Promoter Investigations.Mail:&nbsp;Internal Revenue Service Lead Development Center 
Stop MS5040 
24000 Avila Road 
Laguna Niguel, California 92677-3405 
Fax: 877-477-9135Employers should also <a href="https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing">report instances of fraud and IRS-related phishing attempts</a> to the IRS at <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.tigta.gov/reportcrime-misconduct">Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration</a> at <a href="tel:800-366-4484">800-366-4484</a>.Go to IRS.gov to learn more about eligibility requirements and how to claim the Employee Retention Credit:<ul>
 <li>For qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, and before Jan. 1, 2021 – <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-20.pdf">Notice 2021-20</a>PDF, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-49.pdf">Notice 2021-49</a>PDF, and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-21-33.pdf">Revenue Procedure 2021-33</a>PDF</li><li>For qualified wages paid after Dec. 31, 2020, and before July 1, 2021 – <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-23.pdf">Notice 2021-23</a>PDF, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-49.pdf">Notice 2021-49</a>PDF and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-21-33.pdf">Revenue Procedure 2021-33</a>PDF</li><li>For qualified wages paid after June 30, 2021, and before Oct. 1, 2021 – <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-49.pdf">Notice 2021-49</a>PDF and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-21-33.pdf">Revenue Procedure 2021-33</a>PDF</li><li>For qualified wages paid after Sept. 30, 2021, and before Jan. 1, 2022 – <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-49.pdf">Notice 2021-49</a>PDF and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-65.pdf">Notice 2021-65</a>PDF</li>
 </ul><h2>Additional Information</h2><ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employee-retention-credit-2020-vs-2021-comparison-chart">Employee Retention Credit - 2020 vs 2021 Comparison Chart</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i941x--2022.pdf">Form 941-X Instructions (April 2022 Revision)</a>PDF – for use in conjunction with Form 941 Instructions from relevant calendar quarter</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i941--2021.pdf">Form 941 Instructions (December 2021 Revision)</a>PDF</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i941--2020.pdf">Form 941 Instructions (2020 Revisions)</a>PDF</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i943.pdf">Form 943</a>PDF, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i943x.pdf">943-X</a>PDF, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i944.pdf">944</a>PDF, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i944x.pdf">944-X</a>PDF, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/ict1.pdf">CT-1</a>PDF and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/ict1x.pdf">CT-1-X Instructions</a>PDF</li>
 </ul>

IRS looking for fraudulent Employee Retention Credit claims

NEW YORK — Hollywood is gearing up for the 95th Academy Awards, where <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2023-oscar-nominations-f10835dc948d9a1b5535e8da9aaab8fb">“Everything Everywhere All at Once” comes in the lead nominee</a> and the film industry will hope to move past “the slap” of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-oscars-show-9a69424884de11649b68a12a284353a1">last year’s ceremony.</a> Here’s everything you need to know about <a href="https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2023">the 2023 Oscars,</a> including when they are, where to watch the live show and this year’s controversies.

The
 Oscars will be held Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre in Los 
Angeles. The ceremony is set to begin at 8 p.m. EST and be broadcast 
live on ABC.

The broadcast can be
 streamed with a subscription to Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&amp;T TV 
and Fubo TV. Some of these services offer brief free trials. You can 
also stream the show on ABC.com and on the ABC app by authenticating 
your provider.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oscars-host-jimmy-kimmel-3147af73bf0e205152c6375f14067e3a">Jimmy Kimmel will host for the third time</a>
 and his first time since 2018. That was also the last Oscars to feature
 a solo host. The show went hostless for several years after Kimmel's 
last outing. Last year, Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes hosted 
as a trio. In <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGsXh_loS7k">an ad for this year’s show</a>
 styled after “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kimmel made his humble case for being
 the right person for the job while noting that he can’t get slapped 
because “I cry a lot.”

WHAT’S NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE AT THE 2023 OSCARS?

The
 10 movies competing for best picture are: “All Quiet on the Western 
Front,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” 
“Elvis,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tár,” 
“Top Gun: Maverick,” “Triangle of Sadness,” “Women Talking.” Here's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-watch-2023-oscar-nominations-movies-364aca2fdaa51eae34307c3b02446ae8">a guide to how you can watch them.</a>

The
 first announced round of presenters are: Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, Glenn 
Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne 
Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan Majors, Melissa 
McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña and 
Donnie Yen.

The Academy 
of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has said that winners to all 
categories will be announced live on the show. (Last year, some 
categories were taped in a pre-show, something that caused an uproar 
among academy members.) All signs point to a full slate of musical 
performances, with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/rihanna-oscars-2023-performance-lift-me-up-8f0080a8701ed56fd7f5995bb15995da">Rihanna performing “Lift Me Up”</a> from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and Kala Bhairava singing M.M. Keeravaani's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsU0CGZoV8E">“Naatu Naatu”</a>
 from “RRR." No official word yet on whether Lady Gaga will sing “Hold 
My Hand,” from “Top Gun: Maverick,” during the show. On Monday, show 
producers announced that Lenny Kravitz will deliver the “In Memoriam” 
performance.

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s <a href="https://apnews.com/article/michelle-yeoh-movie-92b9737f7ef574ea62dec51ba12516fd">indie sci-fi hit “Everything Everywhere All at Once”</a> comes in with a leading 11 nominations. Close on its heels, though, is the Irish friends-falling-out dark comedy <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-plays-martin-mcdonagh-colin-farrell-f5304b75bb64127e080e94e8736b8377">“The Banshees of Inisherin,”</a>
 with nine nods, a total matched by Netflix’s WWI film “All Quiet on the
 Western Front.” Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) may
 have a slight edge on <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-plays-martin-mcdonagh-colin-farrell-f5304b75bb64127e080e94e8736b8377">Cate Blanchett (“Tár”)</a> for best actress. Best actor is harder to call, with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/brendan-fraser-the-whale-darren-aronofsky-1b3e71f1022f11b26b764f238b421363">Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”)</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/elvis-movie-review-b18e59c1b13c603e0fdd55adcea53f4d">Austin Butler (“Elvis”)</a> in the mix. In the supporting categories, Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”) and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ke-huy-quan-interview-everything-everywhere-spielberg-ab2601e87b405370853ce1ab12bf5dc2">Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)</a>
 are the frontrunners, though Jamie Lee Curtis' Screen Actors Guild 
Awards win may have thrown a wrench into the supporting actress 
category. Steven Spielberg (“The Fabelmans”) may win his third best 
director Oscar, though the Daniels may have emerged as the favorites.

Aside from the usual <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2023-oscar-nominations-snubs-d3108e53d062ee923d14f31c9de7c3ca">snubs and surprises,</a> this year’s biggest to-do has been <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oscars-andrea-riseborough-celebrity-austin-butler-tom-cruise-01ce502c5a987ee2603a56b3fb82e065">the debate surrounding Andrea Riseborough’s unexpected nomination for best actress.</a>
 Riseborough was nominated for the little-seen Texas-set drama “To 
Leslie” after many A-list stars rallied around her performance. When two
 other best-actress contenders — Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) and Viola 
Davis (“Woman King”) — were snubbed, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/danielle-deadwyler-oscars-snub-12db71a080acf7a4bb3b1407f497e79e">some saw that as a reflection of racial bias in the film industry</a>. The academy launched an inquiry into the star-studded, grassroots campaign for Riseborough <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oscars-andrea-riseborough-best-actress-campaign-review-31573db31b522287339733ed9d2956f3">but found no reason to rescind her nomination.</a>

Just the reading of the title to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/my-year-of-dicks-oscars-b8a6cb7089a580da4dbae0b16571bb25">one of this year’s short film nominees</a> should prompt a wave of giggles. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/john-williams-indiana-jones-star-wars-music-af541b3979fd6c0ea624bb200c322f42">John Williams</a>
 (“The Fabelmans”), up for best score, is the oldest nominee ever, at 90
 years old. After historic back-to-back best-director wins by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2021-oscars-best-director-chloe-zhao-539cda398d2dd5abcf7a92d87b685994">Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”)</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-oscars-best-director-winner-744abe46744ceb4180ce6ffb4210453e">Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”)</a>,
 no women were nominated this year for best director. Also don’t expect 
to see Will Smith at the Oscars anytime soon. After striking Chris Rock 
at last year’s ceremony, Smith was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/will-smith-oscars-ban-664346ac2d2441939764f35be2d8026b">banned by the film academy from attending for 10 years</a>. In a live Netflix special on Saturday, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/chris-rock-netflix-oscars-slap-b13e372ea8f01bacb39da49fd1bd0415">Rock finally punched back at Smith with a blistering stand-up set</a> about the incident.

Associated PressNEW YORK — Hollywood is gearing up for the 95th Academy Awards, where <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2023-oscar-nominations-f10835dc948d9a1b5535e8da9aaab8fb">“Everything Everywhere All at Once” comes in the lead nominee</a> and the film industry will hope to move past “the slap” of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-oscars-show-9a69424884de11649b68a12a284353a1">last year’s ceremony.</a> Here’s everything you need to know about <a href="https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2023">the 2023 Oscars,</a> including when they are, where to watch the live show and this year’s controversies.___WHEN ARE THE OSCARS?The
 Oscars will be held Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre in Los 
Angeles. The ceremony is set to begin at 8 p.m. EST and be broadcast 
live on ABC.CAN YOU STREAM THE OSCARS?The broadcast can be
 streamed with a subscription to Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&amp;T TV 
and Fubo TV. Some of these services offer brief free trials. You can 
also stream the show on ABC.com and on the ABC app by authenticating 
your provider.WHO’S HOSTING?<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oscars-host-jimmy-kimmel-3147af73bf0e205152c6375f14067e3a">Jimmy Kimmel will host for the third time</a>
 and his first time since 2018. That was also the last Oscars to feature
 a solo host. The show went hostless for several years after Kimmel's 
last outing. Last year, Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes hosted 
as a trio. In <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGsXh_loS7k">an ad for this year’s show</a>
 styled after “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kimmel made his humble case for being
 the right person for the job while noting that he can’t get slapped 
because “I cry a lot.”WHAT’S NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE AT THE 2023 OSCARS?The
 10 movies competing for best picture are: “All Quiet on the Western 
Front,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” 
“Elvis,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tár,” 
“Top Gun: Maverick,” “Triangle of Sadness,” “Women Talking.” Here's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-watch-2023-oscar-nominations-movies-364aca2fdaa51eae34307c3b02446ae8">a guide to how you can watch them.</a>WHO'S PRESENTING?The
 first announced round of presenters are: Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, Glenn 
Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne 
Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan Majors, Melissa 
McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña and 
Donnie Yen.WHAT ELSE IS IN STORE FOR THE SHOW?The Academy 
of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has said that winners to all 
categories will be announced live on the show. (Last year, some 
categories were taped in a pre-show, something that caused an uproar 
among academy members.) All signs point to a full slate of musical 
performances, with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/rihanna-oscars-2023-performance-lift-me-up-8f0080a8701ed56fd7f5995bb15995da">Rihanna performing “Lift Me Up”</a> from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and Kala Bhairava singing M.M. Keeravaani's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsU0CGZoV8E">“Naatu Naatu”</a>
 from “RRR." No official word yet on whether Lady Gaga will sing “Hold 
My Hand,” from “Top Gun: Maverick,” during the show. On Monday, show 
producers announced that Lenny Kravitz will deliver the “In Memoriam” 
performance.WHO ARE THE FAVORITES?Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s <a href="https://apnews.com/article/michelle-yeoh-movie-92b9737f7ef574ea62dec51ba12516fd">indie sci-fi hit “Everything Everywhere All at Once”</a> comes in with a leading 11 nominations. Close on its heels, though, is the Irish friends-falling-out dark comedy <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-plays-martin-mcdonagh-colin-farrell-f5304b75bb64127e080e94e8736b8377">“The Banshees of Inisherin,”</a>
 with nine nods, a total matched by Netflix’s WWI film “All Quiet on the
 Western Front.” Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) may
 have a slight edge on <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-plays-martin-mcdonagh-colin-farrell-f5304b75bb64127e080e94e8736b8377">Cate Blanchett (“Tár”)</a> for best actress. Best actor is harder to call, with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/brendan-fraser-the-whale-darren-aronofsky-1b3e71f1022f11b26b764f238b421363">Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”)</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/elvis-movie-review-b18e59c1b13c603e0fdd55adcea53f4d">Austin Butler (“Elvis”)</a> in the mix. In the supporting categories, Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”) and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ke-huy-quan-interview-everything-everywhere-spielberg-ab2601e87b405370853ce1ab12bf5dc2">Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)</a>
 are the frontrunners, though Jamie Lee Curtis' Screen Actors Guild 
Awards win may have thrown a wrench into the supporting actress 
category. Steven Spielberg (“The Fabelmans”) may win his third best 
director Oscar, though the Daniels may have emerged as the favorites.WHAT’S BEEN CONTROVERSIAL THIS YEAR?Aside from the usual <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2023-oscar-nominations-snubs-d3108e53d062ee923d14f31c9de7c3ca">snubs and surprises,</a> this year’s biggest to-do has been <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oscars-andrea-riseborough-celebrity-austin-butler-tom-cruise-01ce502c5a987ee2603a56b3fb82e065">the debate surrounding Andrea Riseborough’s unexpected nomination for best actress.</a>
 Riseborough was nominated for the little-seen Texas-set drama “To 
Leslie” after many A-list stars rallied around her performance. When two
 other best-actress contenders — Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) and Viola 
Davis (“Woman King”) — were snubbed, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/danielle-deadwyler-oscars-snub-12db71a080acf7a4bb3b1407f497e79e">some saw that as a reflection of racial bias in the film industry</a>. The academy launched an inquiry into the star-studded, grassroots campaign for Riseborough <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oscars-andrea-riseborough-best-actress-campaign-review-31573db31b522287339733ed9d2956f3">but found no reason to rescind her nomination.</a>WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR?Just the reading of the title to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/my-year-of-dicks-oscars-b8a6cb7089a580da4dbae0b16571bb25">one of this year’s short film nominees</a> should prompt a wave of giggles. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/john-williams-indiana-jones-star-wars-music-af541b3979fd6c0ea624bb200c322f42">John Williams</a>
 (“The Fabelmans”), up for best score, is the oldest nominee ever, at 90
 years old. After historic back-to-back best-director wins by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2021-oscars-best-director-chloe-zhao-539cda398d2dd5abcf7a92d87b685994">Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”)</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-oscars-best-director-winner-744abe46744ceb4180ce6ffb4210453e">Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”)</a>,
 no women were nominated this year for best director. Also don’t expect 
to see Will Smith at the Oscars anytime soon. After striking Chris Rock 
at last year’s ceremony, Smith was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/will-smith-oscars-ban-664346ac2d2441939764f35be2d8026b">banned by the film academy from attending for 10 years</a>. In a live Netflix special on Saturday, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/chris-rock-netflix-oscars-slap-b13e372ea8f01bacb39da49fd1bd0415">Rock finally punched back at Smith with a blistering stand-up set</a> about the incident.

Everything you need to know about the 2023 Academy Awards

WASHINGTON — The IRS reminds taxpayers that one of the best ways to check on their refund is the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a> tool on the IRS website and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go app</a>.
 Updated once a day, usually overnight, this useful tool gives taxpayers
 a projected refund issuance date as soon as it is approved.

The IRS issues nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days, and the fastest way to get a refund is to use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">IRS e-file</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>. Taxpayers should also know they can have their refunds divided into up to three separate accounts.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IRS live phone assistance is extremely limited. People are encouraged to first check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a> tool on the IRS website and the IRS2Go app. Taxpayers can also review the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5136.pdf">IRS Services Guide</a>PDF which links to additional IRS online services.

Please note: Ordering a tax transcript will not speed delivery of tax
 refunds nor does the posting of a tax transcript to a taxpayer's 
account determine the timing of a refund delivery. Calls to request 
transcripts for this purpose are unnecessary. Transcripts are available 
online and by mail at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript">Get Transcript</a>.

To use the Where's My Refund" tool, taxpayers will need to enter 
their Social Security number, tax filing status (single, married, head 
of household) and exact amount of the tax refund claimed on the return.

Taxpayers who file electronically can check Where's My Refund? within
 24 hours after they receive their e-file acceptance notification. The 
tool can tell taxpayers when their tax return has been received, when 
the refund is approved and the date the refund is to be issued.

While the IRS continues to process electronic and paper tax returns, 
issue refunds, and accept payments, there are delays in processing paper
 tax returns due to limited staffing. If a taxpayer filed a paper tax 
return, the return will be processed in the order in which it was 
received. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS.

Many different factors can affect the timing of a refund. In some 
cases, a tax return may require additional review. It is also important 
to consider the time it takes for a financial institution to post the 
refund to an account or for a refund check to be delivered by mail.

The IRS encourages taxpayers who owe to do a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/paycheck-checkup">Paycheck Checkup</a> every year to ensure enough tax is withheld from their pay to avoid an unexpected tax bill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The IRS reminds taxpayers that one of the best ways to check on their refund is the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a> tool on the IRS website and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go app</a>.
 Updated once a day, usually overnight, this useful tool gives taxpayers
 a projected refund issuance date as soon as it is approved.The IRS issues nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days, and the fastest way to get a refund is to use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">IRS e-file</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>. Taxpayers should also know they can have their refunds divided into up to three separate accounts.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IRS live phone assistance is extremely limited. People are encouraged to first check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a> tool on the IRS website and the IRS2Go app. Taxpayers can also review the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5136.pdf">IRS Services Guide</a>PDF which links to additional IRS online services.Please note: Ordering a tax transcript will not speed delivery of tax
 refunds nor does the posting of a tax transcript to a taxpayer's 
account determine the timing of a refund delivery. Calls to request 
transcripts for this purpose are unnecessary. Transcripts are available 
online and by mail at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript">Get Transcript</a>.<h2>A few necessary items</h2>To use the Where's My Refund" tool, taxpayers will need to enter 
their Social Security number, tax filing status (single, married, head 
of household) and exact amount of the tax refund claimed on the return.Taxpayers who file electronically can check Where's My Refund? within
 24 hours after they receive their e-file acceptance notification. The 
tool can tell taxpayers when their tax return has been received, when 
the refund is approved and the date the refund is to be issued.<h2>Some refunds may take longer</h2>While the IRS continues to process electronic and paper tax returns, 
issue refunds, and accept payments, there are delays in processing paper
 tax returns due to limited staffing. If a taxpayer filed a paper tax 
return, the return will be processed in the order in which it was 
received. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS.Many different factors can affect the timing of a refund. In some 
cases, a tax return may require additional review. It is also important 
to consider the time it takes for a financial institution to post the 
refund to an account or for a refund check to be delivered by mail.<h2>Taxpayers who owe</h2>The IRS encourages taxpayers who owe to do a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/paycheck-checkup">Paycheck Checkup</a> every year to ensure enough tax is withheld from their pay to avoid an unexpected tax bill.

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